About

REGISTERED ACCOMMODATION ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA

Peak industry body for the private rooming house sector

Welcome to RAAV – Supporting the Future of Private Rooming Houses

At RAAV, we’re driving excellence in the private rooming house sector.

Our suite of member services is designed to lift standards, strengthen our collective voice, and support your success.

✨ What We Offer:

Championing Best Practice: Raising the quality and reputation of private rooming houses across Victoria.
Advocacy and Representation: A strong voice to Government, shaping policies that impact our sector.
Policy Contributions: Leading industry submissions and contributing to critical Government initiatives.
Stakeholder Engagement: Building strong relationships with key industry and community players.
Member Services Hub:
- Centralised updates on legislation and rooming house standards
- Best practice guides and operational resources
- Regular member forums, information sessions, and Government consultations
- Exclusive member access to specialist services, including insurance discounts
- Timely newsletters keeping you informed on essential issues
- Full access to our interactive, resource-rich website

Membership also entitles you to:

Voting rights at RAAV’s Annual General Meeting
Eligibility to stand for Committee roles
Access to RAAV’s full member support package
(Associate memberships are available for those considering entering the sector.)

⚙️ Our Committee:
RAAV’s Committee meets regularly to develop strategies, programs, and policies to further strengthen and represent our sector at both State and Local Government levels.
Your voice helps shape the future.

⚠️ Please note: RAAV does not provide legal advice or consultancy for individual rooming house matters.

RAAV'S Core Activities

Make RAAV members and the rooming house sector aware of the legislative requirements as promulgated by the Victorian Government in operating registered accommodation;
Promote Best Practice that raises the standards and image of privately owned and operated registered accommodation;
Provide a regular forum for members to network with rooming house stakeholders and rooming house operators;
Distribute information from Government and Local Government in operating rooming houses.
Liaise with government and prepare submissions to proposed legislation.

FAQs

Do I need to be licensed to operate a rooming house?

Yes. From August 24 2017, all rooming house operators must be licensed. If you do not hold a rooming house operators license, or employ a licensed operator, you will be committing an offence punishable by a heavy fine and/or a jail sentence.

For more information about the licensing requirements, visit the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.

Do I need to register my property?

If you provide prescribed accommodation as defined by the Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009, you are required to register with your local council. Generally providing accommodation to 4 or more unrelated persons will require you to be registered.

The benefits of registering your rooming house include:

proof that you are a licensed rooming house operator
proof that you are complying with the law and that your performance is monitored regularly by the local council;
access to benefits such as land tax exemptions (if eligible);
improving the public image of your rooming house;
giving you status in any rooming house hearing at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal

Why are some rooming houses not registered?

It is generally easy for rooming houses to comply with the legislative requirements to become registered but some rooming houses avoid registration due to:

Lack of knowledge about registering;
Don't realise that they must be compliant if not already registered;
The initial costs of complying

The cost of non-compliance can be high if you are caught, so it is not worth the risk, as you can lose your licence.

Why should I implement best practice?

Running a better rooming house: A best practice hand book for operators has many examples of the benefits of adopting best practice in rooming houses which include:

improving the image of your property;
improving the health and wellbeing of your residents;
increasing your profits;
setting you apart from rooming house operators who do not use best practice principles.

Is it costly to become a RAAV member?

RAAV's annual membership fee is an economical $154 (incl GST). This provides you with regular eNewsletters, access to RAAV's website, invitation to forums and information sessions, networking to exchange up to date information on rooming house operations; on-line training modules and other information.

Your membership also helps in keeping RAAV active in representing the views of rooming house operators when CAV is planning any changes to legislation or standards.

Become a RAAV Member Today or you can contact the Secretary on info@raav.org.au for more information on becoming a member.

How do I become a member?

Full membership is open to owners and operators of Registered Accommodation in Victoria, Government agencies and corporate organisations. Membership is $154 per year and there is no joining fee.